2022 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2022 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Friday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Regional Award History: Athletes of the Year | Coaches of the Year | Assistant Coaches of the Year

Member coaches voted on these honors following the completion of the 2022 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas, but considered performances from both that meet as well as during the regular season.

Information on each of the winners can be found below.

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Jabez Reeves – Wheeling

Reeves, who hails from Woodbridge, Virginia, was selected for the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 60m and hit NCAA Provo Marks in the 200 and 4×400. He was the MEC Champion in the 60 (6.81), runner-up in the 200 (21.91) and was the first leg on the Cardinals 4×400 relay team that took gold in a time of 3:16.88. His season best in the 60 was at the Jud Logan Light Giver Collegiate Open, where he ran 6.76.

CENTRAL REGION – Wes Ferguson – Neb.-Kearney

Ferguson, who hails from Fremont, Nebraska, went undefeated in the 800 this season en route to winning the event title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 1:50.05. He set a personal best at the MIAA Championships, running 1:49.47. He’s ranked second nationally in the event this season. At the Nebraska Graduate Classic, Ferguson broke the 1000 DII record with a time of 2:23.80.

EAST REGION – Callum Elson – American International

Elson, who hails from Leeds, England, was crowned the NCAA DII champion in the mile, running 4:08.59. He also ran the mile leg of the DMR squad that finished fourth (9:39.26). Elson went sub-4:00 in the mile at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, running 3:59.71. His time made him the sixth-best performer in NCAA DII history. Elson was the NE10 champion in the mile, runner-up in the 3000 and ran the 800-meter leg on the champion distance medley relay. and DMR, running the 800 leg.

MIDWEST REGION – Trevor Bassitt – Ashland

Bassitt, who hails from Bluffton, Ohio, had a dominant indoor season, finishing it off by scoring 22.5 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. He won the 60H (7.73), 400 (45.36) and anchored the Eagles to the 4×400 win (3:09.59). All three of those marks are the top times in DII this season. Bassitt went undefeated in both the 60H and 400, winning each event three and four times, respectively. He won the 400 crown at the USATF Indoor Championships, with a time of 45.75, beating a stacked field of professional athletes.

SOUTH REGION – Christian Noble – Lee (Tenn.)

Noble, who hails from Mount Vernon, Indiana, had another phenomenal indoor season, breaking the DII mile record (3:56.10) and rewriting his own DII 3000 record (7:50.98) at the same meet. He broke both records at the Boston University Last Chance Meet, running both events within a 90-minute window of each other. At the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, Noble finished sixth in the 3000 and helped the Flames capture the DMR national title, running an anchor leg of 3:54.12 en route to a total team time of 9:34.51, a new DII national record. He scored 30 points at the Gulf South Indoor Track & Field Championships, showcasing versatility with an impressive sweep of the mile, 3000 and 5000.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Benjamin Azamati – West Texas A&M

Azamati, who hails from Akim Oda, Ghana, scored 18 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, winning the 60m (6.63) and finishing runner-up in the 200 (21.32). He tied the all-time DII 60m record (6.54) earlier in the season at the New Mexico Classic. Azamati was the Lone Star Conference Champion in the 60 (6.55) and 200 (20.57) and was named the LSC Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year. His 200 at LSC Championships is ranked second all-time in DII history.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Widchard Guervil – Tusculum

Guervil, who hails from Fort Myers, Florida, picked up a pair of All-American honors at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, finishing fourth in the 60 (6.73) and seventh in the 200 (21.58). He was the SAC Champion in the 60, 200 and contributed to the Pioneers’ 4×400 squad. His season bests in the 60 (6.69) and 200 (21.13) were ranked fourth and fifth in the nation, respectively.

WEST REGION – Aaron Ahl – Simon Fraser

Ahl, who hails from Calgary, Alberta, wrapped up the indoor season at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a fourth-place finish in the 3000 (8:00.27) and helped Simon Fraser finish second in the DMR (9:36.05). He holds the third-fastest mile in DII history (3:57.95), which he ran at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic. Ahl scored 22.5 points at the GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, taking home the mile and 3000 titles and anchoring the DMR win.

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Glenn Butler – Lincoln (Pa.)

Butler, who hails from White Plains, New York, finished fifth in the long jump (7.54m/24-9) at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, earning First Team All-American honors. He was the CIAA Champion in both the long jump and high jump. Butler set two season bests at the NYC Gotham Cup in the long jump (7.61m/24-11¾) and high jump (2.04m/6-8¼).  He’s ranked sixth in the nation in the long jump this season.

CENTRAL REGION – Ryan Stanley – Fort Hays State

Stanley, who hails from Bennington, Kansas, cleared a personal best of 5.42m (17-9¼) en route to winning the NCAA DII pole vault title. He also won the MIAA title with a height of 5.24m (17-2¼), which was his season best. He won the pole vault four times this season and cleared 17-feet or higher four times as well.

EAST REGION – Yvan Lopes-Ribeiro – American International

Lopes-Ribeiro, who hails from Springfield, Massachusetts, was an NCAA qualifier in the long jump, triple jump and 60H, but ultimately settled to not do the triple jump. He earned First-Team All-American honors in the 60H with a seventh-place finish and Second-Team honors in the long jump finishing ninth. Lopes-Ribeiro had a great NE10 Championships outing, winning the long jump (7.63m/25-½), triple jump (15.45m/50-8¼) and the 60H (7.95). His long jump mark ranks fifth-best this season and is the NE10 record and American International school record.

MIDWEST REGION – Brent Fairbanks – Ashland

Fairbanks, who hails from Austintown, Ohio, capped off a great season with a national title in the weight throw with a personal best of 22.73m (74-7). His throw is ranked third all-time in NCAA DII history behind two former Eagles. Fairbanks’ previous season best was 21.97m (72-1), which he threw at the G-MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. He won the event five times and finished runner-up once.

SOUTH REGION – Zach Hancock – Alabama-Huntsville

Hancock, who hails from Madison, Alabama, earned All-America honors in the shot put, after finishing seventh at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. He had a throw of 18.00m (59-¾). Hancock won the Gulf South shot put and weight throw titles, scoring 20 points and helping the Chargers finish second. He was named the Gulf South Conference Field Athlete of the Year for his efforts. His season best in the shot put was at the Alex Wilson Invitational, where he had a throw of 18.25m (59-10½), ranking him eighth-best this season in NCAA DII.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Johnathon Harper – Texas A&M-Kingsville

Harper, who hails from Lorena, Texas, won the NCAA DII heptathlon title, scoring 5751 points, a performance that ranks him third in NCAA DII history. His previous personal best was 5451, which he set earlier this season at the Boo Rogers Combined Events. During his championship performance, Harper set a new personal best in the pole vault, clearing 4.95m (16-2¾). At the Lone Star Conference Championships, he competed in one field event (and several track events), finishing third in the pole vault.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Joseph Oreva-Edafiadhe – Carson-Newman

Oreva-Edafiadhe, who hails from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, finished sixth at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships in the long jump (7.47m/24-6¼). At the SAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, he won with a jump of 7.43m (24-4½). Oreva-Edafiadhe is the SAC and Carson Newman record holder in the event.

WEST REGION – Jermel Jones II – Azusa Pacific

Jones II, who hails from Long Beach, California, went undefeated in the long jump this season, including a come-from-behind performance to win the NCAA title at a mark of 7.79m (25-6¾). With that jump he set a new personal best. He also set a personal best in the triple jump, finishing eighth (15.39m/50-6) at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Jones II took over the national lead in the long jump with his mark in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Men’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Dave Osanitsch – Shippensburg

Osanitsch, in his 17th year at Shippensburg, led the Red Raiders to the team title at the PSAC Championships with 210 points for the highest point total in a 17-event conference meet, just 3.5 points shy of the overall conference record. The Red Raiders also posted a 120-point margin of victory for the second-largest in PSAC history. Osanitsch’s squad is the third team in PSAC history to score in every event with his athletes recording top-6 finishes. His athletes combined for 17 All-PSAC performances and had eight event champions.

CENTRAL REGION – Kyle Rutledge – Pittsburg State

Rutledge, in his 9th year at Pittsburg State, led the Gorillas to a third place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Under Rutledge’s direction, the Gorillas had a national champion in the triple jump and runner-up finishes in the 400 and 4×400 relay. Pittsburg State also won the MIAA Championships with 173 points for the sixth highest point total in MIAA indoor history. The Gorillas claimed four event crowns and Braylen Brewer was named the High Point Scorer for the Meet.

EAST REGION – John Wallin – Southern Connecticut

Wallin, in his 12th year at Southern Connecticut, led the Owls to the team title at the Northeast-10 Championships and won five events at the meet. The 225 points the Fighting Owls scored is the fourth-highest point total scored in NE-10 Championships history. Southern Connecticut had the highest number of All-Region selections across all of NCAA DII with 38 plaudits. Wallin coached four individuals and two relays to qualify for the NCAA Championships, with three of those individuals being nationally ranked in the top-10 of their respective events. The Fighting Owls were the top-ranked team in the NE-10 and East Region throughout the duration of the season, and were ranked No. 20 in the Pre-Championships edition of the USTFCCCA National TFRI.

MIDWEST REGION – Jerry Baltes – Grand Valley State

Baltes, in his 23rd year at Grand Valley State, guided the Lakers to the program’s first indoor title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Grand Valley State recorded 66 points and had a gender-high 15 First-Team All-American athletes. Earlier this year, Grand Valley State also captured the team title at the GLIAC Championships with 257 points behind 12 event crowns. The Lakers won by 141 points over the runner-up team.

SOUTH REGION – Caleb Morgan – Lee (Tenn.)

Morgan, in his 9th year at Lee (Tenn.), led the Flames to the team title at the GSC Championships and then an 18th place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Under Morgan’s direction, the Flames won the NCAA title in the distance medley relay in 9:34.51, which is the fastest time in DII history regardless of track size. Christian Noble also went on to set DII records in the mile (3:56.11) and the 3000 (7:50.98). Morgan’s athletes combined for six All-America honors.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Matt Stewart – West Texas A&M

Stewart, in his 12th year at West Texas A&M, led the Buffs to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Championships. The Buffs had one national champ and collected 13 All-America honors, including 10 First-Team plaudits. Earlier this year, Stewart’s squad also won the Lone Star Conference Championships and was named the LSC Coach of the Year.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Jacob Krolick – Queens (N.C.)

Krolick, in his first year at Queens (N.C.), led the Royals to the team title at the SAC Championships with 160 points. The Royals had eight event champions and won by 70.5 points over the runner-up team. In the Pre-Championships edition of the #EventSquad Rankings, the Royals were the top-ranked heptathlon squad and had the fifth-ranked 5000 group. Krolick had five athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 400, mile, 5000, shot put and heptathlon.

WEST REGION – Kevin LaSure – Academy of Art

LaSure, in his seventh year at Academy of Art, coached his team to a 17th place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. LaSure had six athletes qualify for the NCAA meet across three events. The Urban Knights recorded 10 provisional marks during the regular season.

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Steve Spence – Shippensburg

Spence, in his 26th year as assistant coach at Shippensburg, coached the Red Raiders’ mid-distance/distance group to four event titles at the PSAC Indoor Championships, helping Shippensburg to win the team crown. His athletes scored 78 points, more than all but one other team’s total score. Prime on his crew was Drew Dailey, who was named Most Valuable Athlete at the PSAC Indoor Championships.

CENTRAL REGION – Ben Barrows – Pittsburg State

Barrows, in his first year as assistant coach at Pittsburg State, guided the Gorillas’ distance runners to five school records as ten athletes registered top-10 times in Pitt State history. His athletes scored 61 of the team’s 177.5 points at the MIAA Indoor Championships. Mason Strader finished fourth in the mile at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, while the Gorillas’ distance medley relay team (anchored by Strader) was fifth. Earlier in the season Strader ran sub-4 to become No. 4 all-time in DII history at 3:58.47.

EAST REGION – Nick Aguila – American International

Aguila, in his first year as assistant coach at American International, coached the Yellow Jackets’ distance crew to No. 1 regional #EventSquad Rankings in the 800, mile, 3000 and 5000 – all among the top-10 nationally as well. Tops individually were Callum Elson (national champ in the mile) and Clement Paillon (runner-up in the 800), the latter with the nation’s fastest time, which is rated among the top-10 all-time in DII history.

MIDWEST REGION – Reynaldo Radlin – Grand Valley State

Radlin, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Grand Valley State, coached the Lakers’ sprint/hurdle group to six First Team All-American honors. His standouts included Brandon Miller, who won the 200 at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships (and ran on the 4×400 relay team that finished sixth) and Makiyah Smallwood, who placed sixth in the 60 hurdles.

SOUTH REGION – Charnay Ryland – Lee (Tenn.)

Ryland, in her seventh year as associate head coach at Lee (Tenn.), coached the Flames’ sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers as the Lee won the team title at the Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships. Prime among her athletes was Jeremiah McCain, who earned Second Team All-American honors in the 400 and ran on the Flames’ distance medley relay team that won the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships in 9:34.51, the fastest DII time ever regardless of track size.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Scott Murray – CSU Pueblo

Murray, in his third year associate head coach at CSU Pueblo, coached the ThunderWolves’ throwers to the two best marks in the nation, separated by just one centimeter – Justin Jenks at 19.55m/64-1¾ and Nathaniel Miller at 19.54m/64-1¼. In DII all-time history, they are =No. 8 and =No. 10, respectively.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Robert T. Williams – Tusculum

Williams, in his second year as assistant coach at Tusculum, coached the Pioneers’ sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers to score 53 points at the SAC Indoor Championships. His athletes won the 60, 200, 400 and 4×400 relay. Leading the way individually among his athletes was Widchard Guervil, who won the 60 and 200 before placing fourth and seventh, respectively, at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships.

WEST REGION – Josh Linker – Azusa Pacific

Linker, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Azusa Pacific, coached three Cougar athletes in four events at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Leading the way was Jermel Jones, who won the long jump with the season’s farthest effort at 7.79m/25-6¾ and also placed eighth in the triple jump. He also coached Second Team All-Americans in the high jump (Raymon Harper) and heptathlon (Aaron Worrell).

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Divonne Franklin – California (Pa.)

Franklin, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, placed fourth in the final of the 60 meters at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships, the highest placing of any athlete in the Atlantic Region. She is a two-time PSAC record-holder in the 60 (7.43) and 200 (24.53) and swept those events at the PSAC Indoor Championships.

CENTRAL REGION – Makayla Jackson – Minnesota State

Jackson, who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, won the 60-meter title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships and placed sixth in the 200. Earlier in the season, Jackson set an NSIC Championships record in the 60 of 7.32 and took runner-up honors in the 200 with her seasonal-best mark of 24.54. Jackson was an All-Region performer in all of her events.

EAST REGION – Roxan Foster – American International

Foster, who hails from Black River, Jamaica, finished sixth in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a seasonal-best mark of 8.58. Just a few weeks earlier, Foster captured NE10 titles in both the 60 and 60H to help American International win the team title at the meet. Foster also qualified for the 60 at the NCAA DII Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Berenice Cleyet-Merle – Indianapolis

Cleyet-Merle, who hails from Saint-Sulpice-Des-Rivoires, France, had a sensational record-breaking season capped with a 14-point effort at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships where she won the mile, placed seventh in the 3000 meters and helped UIndy to a runner-up finish in the distance medley relay. During the regular season, Cleyet-Merle shattered the NCAA DII record in the mile with her 4:31.99 effort at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and became the second-fastest performer in division history in the 800 meters with her 2:03.89 clocking at the Indiana Relays back in January.

SOUTH REGION – Celine Ritter – Lee (Tenn.)

Ritter, who hails from Roesrath, Germany, scored 16 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a victory in the 3000 meters and a third-place effort in the 5000. She accounted for all but one of Lee (Tenn.)’s points in Pittsburg, Kansas. Earlier in the season, Ritter won the 800, mile and 3000 at the Gulf South Conference Championships.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Leah Belfield – West Texas A&M

Belfield, who hails from Te Awamutu, New Zealand, won the 200-meter title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships and finished runner-up in the 60 for 18 team points. She set seasonal bests in both of those events in Pittsburg, Kansas, clocking a 23.93 winner in the 200 and a 7.40 effort in the shorter sprint. Prior to that, Belfield swept those events at the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championships.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Fatima Alanis – Queens (N.C.)

Alanis, who hails from Coahuila, Mexico, scored 12 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a runner-up finish in the 5000 meters and a fifth-place effort in the 3000. She turned in seasonal-best marks in both of those events in Pittsburg, Kansas, going 16:06.90 in the 5000 and 9:25.45 in the 3000. Alanis was named the SAC Track Athlete of the Year after winning the mile, 3000 and 5000 at the SAC Indoor Championships.

WEST REGION – Jaylah Walker – Azusa Pacific

Walker, who hails from Riverside, California, did it all for Azusa Pacific this season. It was in Pittsburg, Kansas, where she scored 17.5 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with third-place finishes in the 200 and 400, as well as a fifth-place effort in the 60-meter hurdles, plus a leg on the third-place 4×400 relay. All of her marks this season in open events were PRs under a roof – 23.95 (200), 54.44 (400), 8.45 (60H).

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Maddie James – West Chester

James, who hails from York, Pennsylvania, entered the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships seeded 13th in the pentathlon with 3630 points. Earlier in the season, James won the pentathlon at the PSAC Indoor Championships and placed sixth in the high jump.

CENTRAL REGION – D’Andra Morris – U-Mary

Morris, who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, won the triple jump at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a leap of 13.00m (42-8). She also placed eighth in the long jump. Earlier in the season, Morris scored 18 points at the NSIC Indoor Championships with a victory in the triple jump, a fourth-place effort in the long jump and a sixth-place showing in the high jump.

EAST REGION – Aniyah Russell – Georgian Court

Russell, who hails from Jackson, New Jersey, placed fifth in the long jump at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a PR of 6.06m (19-10¾). Earlier in the season, she swept the horizontal jumps at the ECC Indoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Cheyenne Williamson – Saginaw Valley State

Williamson, who hails from Essexville, Michigan, broke the NCAA DII record in the pentathlon in winning the multi at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. She totaled 4929 points in Pittsburg, Kansas, which shattered the previous all-time best by nearly 100 points. Williamson also finished fourth in the long jump with a mark of 6.10m (20-0¼). She scored 26 points in field events at the GLIAC Indoor Championships behind victories in both the long jump and pentathlon, as well as a third-place effort in the high jump.

SOUTH REGION – Liezl Theron – Lee (Tenn.)

Theron, who hails from Pretoria, South Africa, set Gulf South Conference records in both the pentathlon (3546 points) and high jump (1.63m/5-4¼) this season. Both of those marks came in winning efforts at the GSC Indoor Track & Field Championships.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Zada Swoopes – West Texas A&M

Swoopes, who hails from Whitewright, Texas, continued her record-breaking career at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. It was in Pittsburg, Kansas, where Swoopes broke the NCAA DII record in the shot put with her heave of 17.68m (58-0¼). Earlier in the season, Swoopes scored 18 points at the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championships with a victory in the shot put and a runner-up finish in the weight throw.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Lucy Walliker – Queens (N.C.)

Walliker, who hails from Ugborough, England, placed third in the high jump at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with a clearance of 1.79m (5-10½). Earlier in the season, Walliker scored 28 points at the SAC Indoor Championships thanks to a victory in the high jump and runner-up finishes in both the pentathlon and triple jump.

WEST REGION – Marie-Jeanne Ourega – Academy of Art

Ourega, who hails from L’Haÿ-les-Roses, France, scored 14 points at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships thanks to a runner-up finish in the long jump and a third-place effort in the triple jump. In the latter event, Ourega set a seasonal best of 12.70m (41-8).

Women’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Inez Turner – Fayetteville State

Turner, in her fifth year at Fayetteville State, led the Broncos’ to their second consecutive team title at the CIAA Championships. The Broncos put up 155 points and won six events. The CIAA Women’s Coach of the Year coached Mya Johnson and Jade Jordan, who were named Track MVP and Field MVP, respectively.

CENTRAL REGION – Mike Turgeon – Minnesota State

Turgeon, in his 5th year at Minnesota State, guided the Mavericks to their first team title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Under Turgeon’s direction, the Mavericks had three national championships (60, 60H, long jump), 15 All-America honors and 15 All-Region plaudits. Turgeon’s weight throwers also scored 8 of the team’s 58 points at the national championships for the most points scored in one event at the meet. Earlier this year, Minnesota State won the NSIC Championships with a conference-record 243 points and had seven event champions. In the Pre-Championships edition of the #EventSquad Rankings, the Mavericks had 11 events ranked in the top-6, including four No. 1 squads in the 60, 200, long jump and weight throw.

EAST REGION – Logan Sharpe – American International

Sharpe, in his first year at American International, led the Yellow Jackets to their first team title at the NE-10 Indoor Championships with 132 points and winning six events. The Yellow Jackets’ had the ninth-ranked 60H group in the Pre-Championships edition of the #EventSquad Rankings, highlighted by All-American hurdler Roxan Foster, who finished sixth at the NCAA Championships. Sharpe’s women earned 16 USTFCCCA All-Region honors and two All-American accolades, the most in the region in both categories. The Yellow Jackets also tallied the most NCAA provisional marks in the region with five.

MIDWEST REGION – Jerry Baltes – Grand Valley State

Baltes, in his 23 year at Grand Valley State, led the Lakers to a runner-up finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships and had 16 entries for the meet. Baltes’ athletes earned nine First-Team All-America accolades, five Second-Team All-America plaudits and 17 All-Region honors. Earlier this year, Grand Valley State captured its 23rd consecutive GLIAC Championship with 248.50 points behind 10 event titles, winning by 118 points over second-place. The Lakers earned the GLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year and Klaudia O’Malley was named the GLIAC Track Athlete of the Year following the conference meet.

SOUTH REGION – Caleb Morgan – Lee (Tenn.)

Morgan, in his ninth year at Lee (Tenn.), led the Flames to their third-straight team title at the GSC Championships with 11 event champions. Lee (Tenn.) then went on to place 16th at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships and was the highest-finishing team among regional competition. Morgan’s athletes tallied six First-Team All-Americans, including a national title in the 3000 from Celine Ritter. The Flames had a school-record seven qualifiers for the NCAA Championships.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Matt Stewart – West Texas A&M

Stewart, in his fifth year at West Texas A&M, led the Lady Buffs to a third-place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships for a second consecutive podium finish. Under Stewart, the Lady Buffs had two national champions and seven total All-American honors, including six First-Team accolades. Earlier this year, Stewart was named the Lone Star Conference Women’s Coach of the year after guiding West Texas A&M to its ninth-straight LSC Championship with six individual titles.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Jacob Krolick – Queens (N.C.)

Krolick, in his first year at Queens (N.C.), led the Royals to a 10th place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with four First-Team All-America honors. The Royals had six individual athletes and a relay qualify for the national championships. Krolick was also named the SAC Coach of the Year after guiding Queens (N.C.) to the team title at the SAC Championships and coaching nine event champions.

WEST REGION – Jack Hoyt – Azusa Pacific

Hoyt, in his fifth year at Azusa Pacific, guided his team to a third-place finish at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships for their first podium finish indoors. The Cougars qualified 10 women for the NCAA meet across 13 events. Hoyt’s athletes set new personal bests this indoor season and had both relays break school records. APU had an additional seven provisional qualifying marks that did not make the national championships.

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Nathan Meeuwenberg – Edinboro

Meeuwenberg, in his first year as assistant coach at Edinboro, led the Fighting Scots’ distance crew to a sweep of distance events at PSAC Indoor Championships, winning the 800, mile, 3000, 5000 and distance medley relay. The mid-distance/distance runners scored 85 of the team’s 96 points as Edinboro won the team title. The Fighting Scots’ 5000 group ranked No. 10 nationally in the #EventSquad Rankings.

CENTRAL REGION – Chris Parno – Minnesota State

Parno, in his 10th year as associate head coach at Minnesota State, coached the Mavericks’ sprint/hurdle crew to top-3 national #EventSquad Rankings in four events – No. 1 in the 60 and 200, plus No. 3 in the 400 and 60 hurdles. Two of his athletes won titles at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships – Makayla Jackson in the 60 and Denisha Cartwright in the 60 hurdles. Altogether, his athletes scored 24 points as Minnesota State won the team title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships after scoring 107 points as the Mavericks won the team title at the NSIC Indoor Championships.

EAST REGION – Timothy Loehwing – Georgian Court

Loehwing, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Georgian Court, coached the Lions’ jumps group to No. 1 East Region #EventSquad Rankings in both the long jump and triple jump. Two of his athletes rated as No. 1 in the East Region – Aniyah Russell in the long jump and Julia Kirschnick in the pole vault; both won their specialties at the ECC Indoor Championships, with Russell also claiming the triple jump.

MIDWEST REGION – Brad Robinson – Indianapolis

Robinson, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Indianapolis, coached the Greyhounds’ distance group to seven event titles and three meet records at the GLVC Indoor Championships. His top star was Berenice Cleyet-Merle, who won the mile at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships after earlier in the season setting the DII record of 4:31.99. Cleyet-Merle also anchored the Indy distance medley team to a runner-up finish. Robinson’s athletes rated top-5 in national #EventSquad Rankings in three events – mile (No. 5), 800 (No. 6) and 3000 (No. 7).

SOUTH REGION – Peter Hopfe – Embry-Riddle (Fla.)

Hopfe, in his 18th year as assistant coach at Embry-Riddle (Fla.), coached Ukeyvia Beckwith to a fourth-place finish in the 800 at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Eagles’ distance medley relay team also ran a provisional qualifying time of 12:05.52.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Corey Kubatsky – UC-Colorado Springs

Kubatsky, in his seventh year as assistant coach at UC-Colorado Springs, coached four of the Mountain Lions’ distance runners to All-American honors – three First Team and one Second Team. The three first-teamers each earned a pair of honors in the mile and distance medley relay in Riley McGrath, Kate Hedlund and Layla Almasri.

SOUTHEAST REGION – Dragan Pesic – Queens (N.C.)

Pesic, in his first year as associate head track & field coach at Queens (N.C.), coached a pair of top-3 finishers at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships: Lucy Walliker in the high jump and Melanie Welsing in the 60-meter hurdles. Walliker and Welsing stood out at the SAC Indoor Championships, scoring 72 of the Royals’ title-winning total of 160 points, which included a 1-2 finish in the pentathlon.

WEST REGION – Andrea Blackett – Azusa Pacific

Blackett, in her fifth year as associate head coach at Azusa Pacific, coached five athletes who combined to score 28 points as the Cougars finished third at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Tops for APU was Jaylah Walker, who was third in the 200, 400 and 60-meter hurdles, plus ran on the third-place 4×400 relay team.